"Keeping the flame alive" of Then singing and Tinh playing for future generations.

(To Quoc) - The preservation and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity regarding "Then singing practices of the Tay, Nung, and Thai people in Vietnam" has received attention from the Party, the State, and all levels of government from central to local. In particular, the role of the artisans cannot be overlooked in ensuring that Then songs and Tinh lute music continue to spread to this day.

Many practical solutions for preserving and promoting the art of Then singing and Tinh playing.

The intangible cultural heritage of humanity, "Then ritual practices of the Tay, Nung, and Thai people in Vietnam," was inscribed by UNESCO on December 12, 2019, at the 14th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Performances at the 7th Then Singing and Tinh Playing Art Festival of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups.

Over time, the preservation and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity regarding "Then rituals of the Tay, Nung, and Thai people in Vietnam" has always been a priority for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local authorities, with many practical solutions implemented.

Most recently, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Trinh Thi Thuy, signed and issued Plan No. 3317/KH-BVHTTDL on organizing the 7th Then Singing and Dan Tinh Playing Festival of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups in 2024.

Accordingly, the festival is an opportunity for artisans, performers, and people of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups to meet, interact, exchange experiences, and raise awareness in preserving and promoting the cultural and artistic values ​​of traditional Then singing and Tinh playing.

Organizing the Then singing and Tinh lute playing art festival of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups is a meaningful activity aimed at honoring, preserving, and promoting the fine traditional cultural values ​​of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups within the unified and diverse culture of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam; creating conditions for localities to interact, learn, and exchange experiences, contributing to raising awareness and consciousness in preserving and maintaining ethnic cultural identity, building and protecting the Fatherland.

The festival is also one of the activities contributing to the building and development of Vietnamese culture and people, meeting the requirements of sustainable national development according to Resolution No. 33-NQ/TW dated June 9, 2014, of the Central Committee of the 11th Party Congress; and Conclusion No. 76-KL/TW dated June 4, 2020, of the Politburo . At the same time, it contributes to raising awareness and responsibility of all levels, sectors, and strata of the people in the work of preserving and promoting national cultural identity.

The festival is an opportunity for artisans, performers, and people of the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups to meet, interact, exchange experiences, and raise awareness in preserving and promoting the cultural and artistic values ​​of traditional Then singing and Tinh playing in the era of national integration and development.

To ensure that the Then songs and the Tinh lute music are passed down

With the consistent attention of the Party and State at all levels, from central to local, the preservation and promotion of the cultural and artistic values ​​of Then singing and Tinh playing have a very important role played by artisans. When talking about Then singing and Tinh playing, it is impossible not to mention People's Artisan Hoang Thi Bich Hong.

People's Artist Hoang Thi Bich Hong is one of the outstanding role models in the field of culture nationwide in 2023.

In 2022, People's Artist Hoang Thi Bich Hong was honored as one of 64 artisans nationwide to be awarded the title of "People's Artisan". In 2023, with her exceptional contributions, People's Artist Hoang Thi Bich Hong was recognized as one of the exemplary advanced figures in the field of culture nationwide.

Despite being nearly 80 years old, People's Artist Hoang Thi Bich Hong, a Tay ethnic woman from Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen province, still dedicates herself to teaching the younger generation and local people about the value of the Then singing and Tinh lute playing art form.

Even now, her Then singing and Tinh playing remain a source of inspiration, attracting many to this cultural art form. Skilled in Then singing, Tinh playing, and ancient Buddhist chants, she possesses the ability to perform Tinh solos proficiently, adapting Then melodies into lyrics. Furthermore, she has a firm grasp of Then melodies from provinces such as Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, and Thai Nguyen.

Recalling her childhood days, when after Tet (Lunar New Year) the families in the neighborhood would often invite shamans to perform rituals and the children would also go along, People's Artist Hoang Thi Bich Hong shared that at those ceremonies, she found the music of Then singing and Tinh playing very beautiful, and the lyrics and melodies naturally seeped into her without her even realizing it.

According to her, Then singing has many melodies, each with its own characteristics. These are lyrics and melodies distilled from the beauty of everyday life. While the Quan Ho singers of Bac Ninh use singing to express their feelings to each other, the Tay and Nung people also use songs to exchange verses and form marital relationships…

It is known that when she was recruited into the Viet Bac Cultural and Arts Troupe, Ms. Hong brought the Tinh lute and Then songs to serve the people of the Viet Bac ethnic groups. After retiring, she sought out those who loved Then songs and Tinh lute music to teach them. In 2007, Ms. Hong established the Thai Nguyen Province Tinh Lute and Then Song Club.

Word spread quickly, and many people from districts like Dinh Hoa and Phu Luong came to register to join the club. Initially, the club had only 18 members, but now it has over 100. To date, the Dan Tinh and Then singing club, chaired by People's Artist Hoang Thi Bich Hong, has taught over 700 students, the oldest being nearly 90 and the youngest only in the third grade.

It can be affirmed that the widespread influence of Then singing and Tinh playing is a highly valuable recognition for the artisans. This has further motivated artisans like People's Artist Bich Hong to continuously dedicate themselves to preserving and passing on these precious cultural heritage features to future generations.

Hopefully, with the artisans' love for their heritage and the consistent support and attention from the government at all levels, the Then singing and Tinh lute playing traditions will continue to be preserved, passed down, and resonate for generations to come.

*Department of Personnel Organization, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Source: https://toquoc.vn/giu-lua-nghe-thuat-hat-then-dan-tinh-cho-the-he-mai-sau-20241121125215515.htm